Fourth seed Radek Stepanek rallied from a set down to overcome German qualifier Dominik Meffert 5-7 6-3 6-1 in the first round of the San Jose Open.

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The 30-year-old Czech, who won his third ATP title in Brisbane last month, lost the first set and was pressed in the second before finally assuming control of the match with a dominating third set to avoid an upset.

In other opening round action, Christophe Rochus of Belgium upset seventh seed Igor Kunitsyn 6-2 7-6, making the Russian the only seeded player to lose on the tournament's opening day.

American Taylor Dent defeated compatriot Bobby Reynolds 6-3 6-4 as he continued his comeback from last season's back surgery.

Top seed and defending champion Andy Roddick plays his first match of the tournament on Tuesday. Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina and American James Blake, the second and third seeds, must wait until Wednesday.